Epidermolysis Bullosa presents in many of insane ways. The organization for it refers to it as the Butteryfly Disease due to the skin being as fragile as a butterflys wing. Interesting note : The only way to prevent infection is bleach baths.....on open wounds....try not to cringe...
There are 3 types depending on what layer of skin it effects and one orphan type:
Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex which affects the top layer of skin.
The mildest form, Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Localized, only effects the palms of hands and soles of feet and does not effect life expentancy.
The most severe Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Generalized Severe, affects all but the palms of hands and soles of feet. They tend to be missing nails and this effects the lining of hte esophagus so they require dilations to keep breathing. They tend to die by age 30 due to complications of EB.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Generalzied Intermediate is like the severe version, but the esophagus lining is unaffected. They have oculuar issues and malignant melanoma is guaranteed to be an issue.
There are 8 more subtypes that are too rare to go into.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Junctional which affects the mid layer of skin.
The mildest form, Epidermolysis Bullosa Junctional Localized, only effects localized areas as well as teeth enamel and nails. It does not effect life expentancy.
The most severe Epidermolysis Bullosa Junctional Severe or Herlitz subtype. Blistering effects every region of the body as well as the mucus membranes. They have blistering all their their mouths, esophagus and their digestive systems. The blistering leads to fusion of the fingers and toes, joint contractures and hair loss. Most do not survive their first year of life. If you feel insane enough to google it they come out as a giant blister baby and they are in constant and contiuous pain.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Junctional intermediate, or non-Herlitz subtype, is a milder form of Herlitz subtype. In some cases the blistering is only limited to hands, feet, knees and elbows and it may even clear up by infanthood being over. They do tend to have issues with hair and nails. The swelling of hte esophagus and scar tissues does not tend to life limit or cause breathing issues and they have a normal lifespan.
There are 5 more subtypes that are too rare to go into.
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa which affects the uppermost layer of skin.
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa generalized is milder then the recessive forms of dystrophic EB. Blistering ususally is only on the hands, feet, knees, and elbows. There is the scarring of EB, but less severe and nails are lost over time.
Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa genearlized severe is the most common and most severe form. Infants are born with entire body blistering and areas of missing skin. The mouth, esophagus and digestive track are all effected. Scarring caused in the mouth and esophagus can lock the jaw shut and limit the openings of the airway. Progressive scarring fuses fingers and toes, causes loss all nail, contractures the joints, and since it effects hte eye as well it leads to scarring and cataracts leading to blindness. They are al very high risk of getting squamous cell carcinoma, which is an unusually aggressive cancer. Thier organs are also affected as well as their heart. They tend to die by 30 of cancer or other eb reason.
Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa generalized intermediate is the same as RDEB gen severe, but does not tend to lead to fusion of fingers and toes or contractures. Death is still ususal by age 30 due to cancer and compications.
Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Inversa is similar to RDEB GEN SEV, but majority of skin loss and blistering is back of neck, back and torso areas. Can also cause though psuedosyndactly (that is the name for the fusion of fingers/toes) and hearing loss due to ear canal erosion.
There are 5 more subtypes that are too rare to go into, as well as another 4 recessive subtypes.
Kindler Syndrome, when your body hates you so much that you have all 3 skin layers effected at the same type.
All 3 severe subtypes of EB combined into Super EB, with photsensitivity as well. Affects inside and out with intestional, esophageal, urethreal, and very high risk of cancer. Sweet escape of death by age 30 due to cancer or compications.